Snap fastener

ABSTRACT

The invention disclosed is for a two-part snap-on fastening device which includes a button member having a stud projecting therefrom, and a foundation member securable to a garment. The projecting stud mates with the foundation member in a semipermanent fashion so that disengagement does not result during normal wearing conditions. In a preferred embodiment, the button portion is made of relatively hard material having a stud integral therewith, the free end of which is bulbous and adapted to be inserted into the somewhat resilient foundation member and form a semipermanent connection therewith.

United States Patent Kahn 1 Feb. 29, 1972 [54] SNAP FASTENER 2,843,9037/1958 Chaves ..24/109 X 3,021,583 2/ 1962 Grannen ..24/109 [72] Edwa'dKahn Bammm 3,466,714 9/1969 Nysten ..24/208 [73] Assignee: Togs, Inc.,Baltimore, Md. FOREIGN PATENTS 0R APPLICATIONS [22] (M01969 358,9089/1922 Germany ..24/113 [21] Appl. No.: 863,060 327,059 2/1958Switzerland ..24/113 Related U.S. Application Data [63]Continuation-impart of Ser. No. 819,144, Apr. 25, 1969, which is acontinuation-in-part of Ser. No. 781,296, Oct. 14, 1968, abandoned.

[52] U.S. Cl. ..24/90 R, 24/108, 24/109,

24/109, 213, 214, 208 A, 221,113 MP, 102 SL [56] References Cited UNITEDSTATES PATENTS 2,538,396 1/1951 Sutin ..24/108 2,622,291 12/1952 Drellet al... .....24/109 2,838,820 6/1958 Hakanson ..24/216 PrimaryExaminer-Stanley N. Gilreath Assistant Examiner-Wemer H. SchroederAttorney-Kenneth E. Prince [5 7] ABSTRACT The invention disclosed is fora two-part snap-on fastening device which includes a button memberhaving a stud projecting therefrom, and a foundation member securable toa garment. The projecting stud mates with the foundation member in asemipermanent fashion so that disengagement does not result duringnormal wearing conditions. In a preferred em bodiment, the buttonportion is made of relatively hard material having a stud integraltherewith, the free end of which is bulbous and adapted to be insertedinto the somewhat resilient foundation member and form a semipermanenteonnection therewith.

5 Claims, 8 Drawing Figures Patented Feb. 29, 1972 2 Sheets-Sheet 1INVEN'IOR EDWARD J. KAHN ATTORNEYS Patented Feb. 29, 1972 2 Sheets-Sheet2 FIG 5 mvzmon EDWARD J. KAHN BY 5 g ATTORNEY SNAP FASTENER This is acontinuation-in-part of my application Ser. No. 819,144, filed Apr. 25,1969, which in turn is a continuationin-part of my application Ser. No.781,296, filed Oct. 14, 1968, now abandoned.

This invention relates to a multiple part garment fastener adapted forrelatively permanent attachment to a garment and which provides meansfor easy attachment and replacement.

In my earlier applications, I have described the difficulties attendantupon the attachment of conventional buttons to garments and the problemsencountered in wearing because of their ready detachment from garmentsand the difficulty of replacing them. The articles of my earlierapplications are two-part fasteners comprising a flat, female memberhaving an opening therein and being adapted for attachment to one foldof the garment and a separate male member including a shank having abutton integrally formed therewith at one end and an enlargement at theopposite end integral therewith and adapted for operative associationwith the female member whereby the two are snapped together to form arelatively permanent attachment. However, the association of the maleand female members is such that by deliberate effort they can beseparated and other male members substituted therefor without detachingthe female member from the garment.

The present invention is an extension and modification of the earlierdevices whereby it is possible to achieve a swaged fit between the maleand female members and avoid the use of the peripheral groove adjacentthe mating enlargement of the male member as described in my earlierapplications. In addition, in accordance with the present invention, itis possible to insert the face or platform of said male member into acavity cut into the underside of any ordinary button. This insertion isaccomplished by mechanically diminishing the size of the platform orbase of said male part and allowing it to be deposited in the smallercavity cut in the said ordinary button. After insertion is made themechanical tension on the said male base or platform is released therebyallowing the base to expand into the cavity of the button achieving apermanent interference fit. This new application of the male stem allowsus to utilize all present button molds and products by simply adaptingthem to our purpose by the simple procedure of cutting an undercutcavity in their bases. By adopting this procedure we can utilize allexisting resources and offer the garment manufacture an immediate, wideselection of different styles of products.

Either the female member at least in the area of the opening or the malemember at the mating end is formed of relatively rigid material and theother is formed of relatively resilient material. This permits the useof a button shank of slightly larger cross section than the opening inthe female member and assures a tight fit. Further, by this means it ispossible to eliminate the peripheral groove adjacent the shankenlargement without sacrificing the rigidity of the button assembly.Elimination of the peripheral groove also facilitates molding of themale part since any break in the surface of a molded part requiresadditional work in mold construction and perfect alignment of the partsat all times. By use of a rigid shank and a resilient opening, thelarger shank can be inserted into the resilient opening by applicationof pressure and it is held there against ready withdrawal or rotation.It is possible to make the shank member of resilient material and thefemale member of rigid material and still accomplish the same desirableresult of relatively fixed parts. The determination of which member isto be resilient is made on the basis of the materials to be used. Forexample, if the button portion had a male stem that was to be metal, thefemale portion should be resilient. While it is possible to have bothmembers of relatively resilient material, it is preferable to have onerigid.

The selection of the materials of construction will depend largely uponavailability and cost. Illustrative but nonlimiting examples ofresilient plastic materials which may be used are polyethylene, nylonNo. 6, polyolefins such as polypropylene and copolymers thereof. Rigidmaterials may be metal, wood,

nylon, polyacetals, polyesters, polyvinylchloride, ureaformaldehyde,etc. My invention is not limited to materials of construction but isapplicable to any material having the desired property.

The present invention will be further understood by reference to theaccompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a side elevation of one embodiment of my invention;

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view partly exploded and partly assembled ofthe article of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a top view taken along line 3-3 of FIG. 2

FIG. 4 is an exploded view of another embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 5 is a side view, partly in cross section of the embodiment shownin FIG. 3;

FIG. 6 is a top view of the embodiment shown in FIG. 5 taken along line6-6;

FIG. 7 shows an embodiment wherein a metal cap is crimped onto thebutton end; and

FIG. 8 shows an embodiment having a woven leather button end.

Referring more specifically to the drawings, the device of the presentinvention comprises a male member 11 having a shank l3 and integrallyformed therewith a first enlarged end port 12 adapted to be force fitand expanded into an undercut or cavity in the back of a button, and atthe opposite end thereof a second enlarged locking portion 14 adapted tobe inserted into the opening 16 of female member 17. The enlargedlocking end of male member 11 in one embodiment is provided with ashoulder 18 and around a portion of circumference with lugs 19 onopposed sides of the periphery. When the male and female members aremated, lugs 19 slide into opening 16 at points where the walls 21 FIG. 3are vertical. The walls of opening 16 throughout the other portions aresloping as at 22 FIG. 3 to accommodate the sloping sides 23 of malemember 11 of hard material, the sidewalls 22 are deformed on insertionof the male member so that a tight fit is achieved. To preventseparation of the members, the male member 11 is rotated whereby thelugs 19 are positioned between knobs 26 and nest therebetween wherebywithdrawal is prevented.

Female member 17 is adapted to be attached to the face of a garment byany convenient or conventional means as by sewing, for which holes 25are provided.

In one specific embodiment male member 11 is provided with a rib 10extending outwardly from shoulder 18. When the members are mated androtated into locking position, rib l0 registers with groove 9 of femalemember 17 and locks the members in place. Bevelled edge 8 of opening 16in female member 17 FIG. 2 facilitates mating of the parts but does notappreciably reduce the friction between members 11 and 17.

At 27 in FIG. 2 is shown the button with cavity 33 that is cut into theunderside. Into this undercut is inserted the outer portion of the maleportion 28, having vertical sidewalls which curve inwardly towards thegarment end of the button as at slope 29. The outer portion 28 is largerthan cavity 33 to insure a tight fit. To mate these members, portion 28is mechanically compressed, inserted and allowed to expand into theundercut, or so called cavity 33, in the said button 27. The conicalprotrusion 31 in the center of said button is by no means necessary tothe embodiments of my invention, but is an artifact sometimes left inthe process of making the undercut 33 in the said button. Thisprotrusion 31 extends into cavity 34 in platform 13. The undercut 33 inthe said button has a rigid skirt portion 32 having inwardly slopingsidewalls against which the inserted male portion 28 will exert pressureafter insertion thereby achieving a permanent force fit without the needof any adhesives such as cement or glue.

If desired, portion 12 can be made to maximum diameter and a decorativedisc inserted into cavity 34, FIG. 2. If this is employed, a retainingcircumferential ring 36 may be provided. Obviously, this is not neededif button 27 covcrs the end of member 11.

It is preferred that the base or platform of said male component 12 beof a somewhat resilient material such as nylon No. 6 so that it may bemechanically compressed for insertion into the cavity 33 of the button27 FIG. 2, but this material nylon No. 6 is by no means the onlymaterial acceptable, and should be by no way construed as a limitingfactor.

The embodiment represented in FIGS. 4, 5 and 6 is functionally the sameas that shown in FIGS. 1, 2, 3, 7, 8 but the lugs 19 are of slightlydifferent configuration and smaller. Also, female member 17 is providedwith a concavity on its underside whereby male member enlargement 14 canbe inserted and rotated to wearing position without extending past thelevel of the inner surface of female member 17. To prevent easyseparation of the members of the present invention, the shank 13 shouldbe of slightly larger diameter than opening 16 in female member. Byhaving one or the other of these members of resilient material and theother of rigid material, a tight fit between the two is achieved. It isnecessary that some deformation of the resilient material occur so thatthe parts will not become easily separated during wear. For thispurpose, l have provided a method of assembling them whereby theresilient material is squeezed or stretched depending on whether or notit is the male or female portion.

FIGS. 7 and 8 illustrate further embodiments of my invention. In FIG. 7a larger base or platform 37 of male component 11 approaches the size ofa normal button. It serves as a base to which a metal cap 38 can beattached. The cap is crimped around the platform 37 thereby giving thedesired metal button. A further extension of my invention can be seen inFIG. 8 where the platform is of such design as to allow leather stripsto be woven around it thereby giving a leather covered button.

The foregoing represents a description of certain preferred embodimentsof my invention but all equivalent embodiments are contemplated by thepresent invention, the scope of which is defined by the followingclaims.

Iclaim:

l. A garment button comprising in combination a female member adaptedfor attachment to one fold of a garment, and having a central openingtherethrough; a plurality of longitudinal grooves formed in the walldefining said central opening,

a male member including a shank portion, a first terminal enlargementadapted for insertion into said central opening, a second terminalenlargement on the free end of said shank, and a plurality of ribsextending longitudinally along said shank from the inserted end andregistering with said grooves on rotation of said male member to locksaid members together.

2. The invention of claim 1 wherein the button end of said male memberis of deformable material adapted for insertion into an undercut cavityin a button blank whereby the button end is further enlarged.

3. The invention of claim 1 wherein the shank of said male member ismade of relatively hard material and said female member is of relativelyresilient material whereby mating of said male and female parts isfacilitated.

4. A garment button comprising in combination a female member adaptedfor attachment to one fold of a garment and having formed therein acentral opening, plurality of radial slits extending outwardly from saidopening in said female member, paired bosses on the underside of saidfemale member between said slits, a male member having a shank and innerand outer terminal enlargements, said outer enlargement being adaptedfor insertion into a buttonhole in an overlying fold of the garment andsaid inner enlargement having a plurality of lugs extending radiallyfrom the periphery of said inner enlargement being adapted for insertioninto said central opening, said lugs registering with and passingthrough said slits whereby on rotation of said members relative to eachother, said lugs rest between said paired bosses to maintain saidmembers in relatively fixed position.

5. A garment button comprising, in combination, a female member adaptedfor attachment to one fold of a garment, said female member havin acentral opening defied by partial inwardly tapered sidewa ls, a malemember having a base and a stud extending therefrom terminating in abulbous portion adapted for insertion into the opening in said femalemember and being slightly larger than said opening, partial flangesextending radially from said bulbous portion for locking said flanges onrotation of said male member relative to locking means on said femalemember.

1. A garment button comprising in combination a female member adaptedfor attachment to one fold of a garment, and having a central openingtherethrough; a plurality of longitudinal groOves formed in the walldefining said central opening, a male member including a shank portion,a first terminal enlargement adapted for insertion into said centralopening, a second terminal enlargement on the free end of said shank,and a plurality of ribs extending longitudinally along said shank fromthe inserted end and registering with said grooves on rotation of saidmale member to lock said members together.
 2. The invention of claim 1wherein the button end of said male member is of deformable materialadapted for insertion into an undercut cavity in a button blank wherebythe button end is further enlarged.
 3. The invention of claim 1 whereinthe shank of said male member is made of relatively hard material andsaid female member is of relatively resilient material whereby mating ofsaid male and female parts is facilitated.
 4. A garment buttoncomprising in combination a female member adapted for attachment to onefold of a garment and having formed therein a central opening, pluralityof radial slits extending outwardly from said opening in said femalemember, paired bosses on the underside of said female member betweensaid slits, a male member having a shank and inner and outer terminalenlargements, said outer enlargement being adapted for insertion into abuttonhole in an overlying fold of the garment and said innerenlargement having a plurality of lugs extending radially from theperiphery of said inner enlargement being adapted for insertion intosaid central opening, said lugs registering with and passing throughsaid slits whereby on rotation of said members relative to each other,said lugs rest between said paired bosses to maintain said members inrelatively fixed position.
 5. A garment button comprising, incombination, a female member adapted for attachment to one fold of agarment, said female member having a central opening defied by partialinwardly tapered sidewalls, a male member having a base and a studextending therefrom terminating in a bulbous portion adapted forinsertion into the opening in said female member and being slightlylarger than said opening, partial flanges extending radially from saidbulbous portion for locking said flanges on rotation of said male memberrelative to locking means on said female member.